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Thinking of replacing my stolen R1100S with an R1200S - is there anyone who has one or knows anyone owning one in London? Would like to check it out and see how its ergonomics differ from the R1100S

Thanks a lot - Vic

Vic

I have both 11S and a 12S (which is not for sale).

Differences ergonomically are that the 11S is much more cramped in the leg and with the bars on top of the yoke, roomier for the back and arms.

My 12S also has Helibars but there is considerably less leg ache, although a slightly "longer" feel to the upper body stretch.
I am 6.0ft tall so your "mileage" may vary.

I'm 6' 4" so leg space is important.

How bad is the 1200 really for the passenger?

victorlaszlo wrote:I'm 6' 4" so leg space is important.

How bad is the 1200 really for the passenger?

No worse than most sports bikes, but pretty bad for a sports tourer.

There is also a combined weight limit for rider and passenger which in my case allows myself and a very small child as pillion.

If your a 'big boned' 6ft 4 then your passenger had better be of kylie Minogue proportions.

I'm 85kg "wet" weight and my pillion is tiny, 65kg all geared up.

We've had no problem with my other bikes including the 11S but my worry is more that the pillion "seat" seems very tall and very hard...

It's really not a pillion friendly bike. The 1100s was very much a sports tourer. The 1200s was a different concept much more in the sports mould, even though it was sold as a replacement for the 1100s in the range.

If you plan lots of 2 up riding or 2 up touring then maybe look elsewhere. 1200ST maybe.

Herb wrote:It's really not a pillion friendly bike. The 1100s was very much a sports tourer. The 1200s was a different concept much more in the sports mould, even though it was sold as a replacement for the 1100s in the range.

If you plan lots of 2 up riding or 2 up touring then maybe look elsewhere. 1200ST maybe.

I prefer the 11S to the ST, the ST has too soft suspension and no feel of "contact" with the road...

Not planning a lot, occasional popping over to France for some days up to a week, going down to Rye a Saturday and so on. 80% of my driving is probably solo...

Me and my pillion are really quite fit so no Goldwing riders here And she has a problem falling asleep that perhaps could be cured

Vic

Your pillion will definately not fall asleep on an R1200S.
Pillion perch is exactly that - not a two up friendly bike at all for any kind of distance IMHO.

I am even changing my R1100S with extra padded seat and higherscreen etc for solo touring instead of using the 12S. Luggage fits easier and is bigger capacity too.

I'll keep the 12S as the tool for a quick blast and fun.

I prefer the 11S to the ST, the ST has too soft suspension and no feel of "contact" with the road... said VictorLaszlo

Having had both R1100s (50,000 miles) and 1200ST (36,000 miles so far) I'd say the that the 1200ST is very slightly softer (I remember the front of the 1100 being too bloody hard) I'd say that of the two I can ride the ST faster for longer than I could the 1100 and that the ST is better for 2 up riding. If I compare photos where you can see the chicken strips on the back tyres there's no difference so I don't agree about the "No feel of contact" with the road. Maybe the one he rode had duff tyres or pressures the ST seems fussy about the right tyre pressures IMHO

PS. you also get a few more ponies, a smoother engine (balance shaft) it also spins up quicker and is happier at higher revs that the 100 engine.

PPS. I also get better mileage per gallon from the 1200 54mpg average compared to 45 mpg from my 1100.

It was not only the suspension, the entire chassis felt very touring oriented and a but "squirmy", with a feeling of it lifting under hard throttle usage. It as strong as the servitissimo brakes were they too didn't provide much feedback but for 2 up it's certainly very comfortable

It was also quite a lot of work turning in whereas the R11S goes were you look...

victorlaszlo wrote:It was not only the suspension, the entire chassis felt very touring oriented and a but "squirmy", with a feeling of it lifting under hard throttle usage. It as strong as the servitissimo brakes were they too didn't provide much feedback but for 2 up it's certainly very comfortable

It was also quite a lot of work turning in whereas the R11S goes were you look...

I guess different folks different strokes. I still prefer the 1200 engine

The Teutonic Tangerine wrote:

victorlaszlo wrote:It was not only the suspension, the entire chassis felt very touring oriented and a but "squirmy", with a feeling of it lifting under hard throttle usage. It as strong as the servitissimo brakes were they too didn't provide much feedback but for 2 up it's certainly very comfortable

It was also quite a lot of work turning in whereas the R11S goes were you look...

I guess different folks different strokes. I still prefer the 1200 engine

On the engine I definitely agree, no questions there.

And it really takes effort getting the ST to turn, which is not the case with the 11S

Picking up my R12S on Saturday, let's see how that one is

My 12s get hard to turn in when the rear tyre is worn / squared off. Perhaps the ST is also sensitive to tyre wear and tyre profile?

Herb wrote:My 12s get hard to turn in when the rear tyre is worn / squared off. Perhaps the ST is also sensitive to tyre wear and tyre profile?

It has got a more touring inspired chassis and suspension. And feels much longer....

Hello,

My thoughts on riding an R1200S in London...

I use mine probably about twice a week from April - October only - Don't like riding in the dark!

I come up from Kent (Meopham) up the A2 into Bermondsey. I could also use the M20/A20 but prefer the A2 and the Blackwall Tunnel because I like the noise my Remus makes going through it....I know - Grow up etc.. I then often either cross back through the Limehouse Link (Another tunnel) or the Rotherhithe Tunnel for even more entertainment. But then I did used to have a Laverda Jota which was even noisier.

I find it commutes just fine. I use a Rucksack or the BMW Small tail pack as the Panniers would just make it too wide for effective filtering. There are no low speed running issues like on the K1200/K1300 models thankfully although I do have a PC III fitted with what I will call a "Standard Map" and a "Full Power Map" - Difference is about 10bhp and it is switchable on the handlebars. I nearly always run it on the standard map to be honest and save the other one for the weekends and when I am riding for pleasure.

I also have the PC III quickshifter on it which works very well even in traffic going up the box but it doesn't work going down or if it does I don't use it.

All in all it is a comfortable enough motorcycle to commute on although when in traffic it can be fairly heavy on the wrists. This is eased mostly by fitting Heli-Bars which I have done. I do have a Corbin seat which I think is more forgiving that the standard BMW one but that wasn't too bad.

I have a "powered" tank bag with my 'phone in to provide the entertainment through the Starcom system although some might say travelling in London is entertainment enough as you do have to ride defensively and keep your wits about you which of course (IMHO) you should do anyway.

Hope that helps?

Best regards,

David